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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Mississippi

17 Colleges in the United States
$17,338 Avg Student Debt
$36,299 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Badge [Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Mississippi

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Hinds Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Mississippi. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $9,603 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $20,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,603 median debt.

2

Coahoma Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarksdale. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,601. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $20,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Mississippi Delta Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mississippi Delta Community College earn a median of $18,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

4

Southwest Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Summit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,080, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $50,292. That is a strong return on a $21,057 median debt.

5

Itawamba Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $19,091. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Pearl River Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $19,354. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.

7

East Mississippi Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,012. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.

8

East Central Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,990, with out-of-state students paying around $6,090. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,646. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from East Central Community College generally make around $17,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Holmes Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,789. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $25,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,789 median debt.

10

Meridian Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Meridian. Students from in state pay about $4,078 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,478 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $4,989. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Meridian Community College earn a median of $24,817 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,989 median debt.

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11

Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Students borrow a median of $6,885 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $21,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $21,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Jones County Junior College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Jones County Junior College generally make around $23,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Northeast Mississippi Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Booneville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $7,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,011 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northeast Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,011 median debt.

15

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,450. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $37,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

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16

Mississippi Valley State University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,919 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 92%.

17

Delta State University landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $29,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,580. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.

18

Mississippi University For Women placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,492. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $31,811. Set against $29,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,438 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,800. Set against $28,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

20
Alcorn State University crest
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alcorn State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $39,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $26,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

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Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,435. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $36,318 early in their careers. Set against $28,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.

22
William Carey University crest
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,079 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $46,292. That is a strong return on a $25,079 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

23

Jackson State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Students borrow a median of $48,911 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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